Articulation (music)

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In music, articulation refers to the direction or performance technique which affects the transition or continuity on single, or between multiple notes or sounds. There are many different forms of articulation, each having a different effect on how the note is played, whether short or long, hard or soft, or varying. Some articulation marks include the slur, phrase mark, staccato, staccatissimo, accent, sforzando, rinforzando, and legato. (Cooper 1985, glossary) In this image, the articulations shown are staccato, stacatissimo, accent, sforzando, and tenuto, respectively.

Image:Notation accents1.png

As can be seen from the image, each form of articulation is represented by a different symbol, placed above or below the note according to the location of the note on the stave.

When staccato marks are combined with a slur the result is portato. Image:Articulatie.jpg

Woodwind and brass instruments generally articulate by tonguing, the use of the tongue to break the airflow into the instrument. Stringed instruments use different playing techniques (bowing, plucking, etc.) to achieve different articulations.

[edit] Audio examples

Bassoon articulations Image:Bassoon-technical-articulations.ogg

A bassoon played staccato, legato, legato + vibrato, and slurred.

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[edit] Source

Cooper, Helen (1985). Basic Guide to How to Read Music. ISBN 0-399-51122-9.

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Notes	Accidental · Dotted note · Flat · Grace Note · Natural sign · Note value · Rest · Sharp · Slur · Tie
Expression marks	Articulation · Dynamics · Octaves · Ornaments · Ossia · Tempo
Development	Coda · Development · Exposition · Harmony · Melody · Motif · Recapitulation · Theme